The match was Bradford's 64th of a season which saw them only just make the play-offs by finishing seventh, and there was a lot riding on the outcome for a club which was in the Premier League as recently as 2000-01 and eager to start climbing up the leagues once again.

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Bradford's promotion celebrations

However, their recent experience of playing at Wembley appeared to work in their favour as they looked sharper from the outset and far more comfortable on the grand stage against a Northampton side minus leading scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa, who was left on the bench by boss Aidy Boothroyd.

Wells had the Bantams' first attempt at goal, direct from a free-kick, but his shot flew over the bar.

Bradford's top scorer then headed over from a corner before Northampton's Ben Harding had to have his head bandaged as the Cobblers looked to attack at the other end.

City took the lead after Northampton failed to clear a loose ball and Thompson's chipped cross found the head of former supermarket worker Hanson, who nodded in his 15th goal on his 59th appearance of the season.

Phil Parkinson's side continued to press and within five minutes had doubled their lead when Doyle's cross to the near post found the head of McArdle and he diverted the ball into the bottom corner.

Wells then had a shot on the turn easily saved by Lee Nicholls before the Cobblers managed their first clear chance when Clive Platt headed Ben Tozer's long ball wide.

No joy for Cobblers

Northampton have failed to beat Bradford on five occasions this season.

The Bantams won twice in League Two, 1-0 both times.

The two sides also met in the FA Cup first round, drawing 1-1 and then 3-3 in the replay before Bradford won 4-2 on penalties.

But they were again found wanting at the back soon afterwards as Kyel Reid's cross from the edge of the area found Thompson, who headed down into the path of Wells and the striker was free to score.

With the Bantams continuing to bombard the Northampton defence, Reid then went close with a header that was expertly tipped over by Nicholls.

Town began to make some inroads towards half-time, but skipper Clarke Carlisle headed wide of Jon McLaughlin's goal and that was as close as they came to finding the net.

Northampton started the second half in more positive fashion, but they were fortunate not to fall further behind as Carlisle almost turned James Meredith's long throw into his own net.

Thompson then fired wide from the edge of the area before Akinfenwa, finally introduced in the 55th minute to try and rescue the game, had his first attempt of the afternoon.

The 17-goal powerhouse, who came on for fellow striker Platt, found space to turn in a crowded penalty box, only to fire his shot past the upright.

Reid then had a good chance to widen Bradford's margin of victory when he fired wide, before superb link-up play with Meredith gave Wells a shot at goal that was well saved by Nicholls.

Akinfenwa jumped clear of the Bradford defenders late on, but his header was wayward as the City fans took to their feet to begin the promotion celebrations.

It meant boyhood Bradford fan Boothroyd's Northampton side would have to settle for a fifth season in League Two since being relegated in 2009.

Kyel Reid produces a volleyed left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

61:01

Garry Thompson has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal. Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Roy O'Donovan by Andrew Davies. Free kick taken by Chris Hackett. Shot from 20 yards by Ben Harding. Effort from the edge of the box by Adebayo Akinfenwa goes wide of the right-hand upright.

The ball is sent over by Ben Tozer, Header by Clive Platt from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:00 +4:50 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

45:00 +4:26

Header by Clarke Carlisle from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.

45:00 +3:29

Ben Tozer fouled by James Hanson, the ref awards a free kick. Ben Tozer restarts play with the free kick.

45:00 +2:16

Shot by Nahki Wells. Nathan Cameron gets a block in.

45:00 +1:42

Luke Guttridge takes a shot. Nathan Doyle gets a block in.

43:34

The ball is sent over by Roy O'Donovan, save by Jon McLaughlin.

42:57

Chris Hackett sends in a cross, clearance made by Rory McArdle.

42:07

Chris Hackett produces a cross, Header by Roy O'Donovan from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.

38:57

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gary Jones by Ishmel Demontagnac. Rory McArdle restarts play with the free kick. The referee blows for offside against James Hanson. Lee Nicholls takes the free kick.

36:38

Corner taken by Ben Harding from the right by-line, Jon McLaughlin makes a save.

Well done Bradford, perfect end to a great season, As a Gills fan I love the play offs, but I am glad we avoided them this year. Commiserations to Northampton too because its great way to be promoted but Wembley is an awful place to lose, I am sure you will there or thereabouts next season. But I must disagree with poster 8. The league table doesn't lie, the best team in league 1 won the league

Bradford won't come up against as many generous defences in League 1 like they have found this season in League 2. Wonder how long Parkinson will stay even if he signs a new contract. Best of luck in League 1.

Well done City, on another day this would have been main headline but unfortunately Mrs. Beckham retired so we have been demoted to 2nd spot in the headlines. All we can ask for Bantams is we stay in League One and then build from there. 'City till I Die'

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